HOW WE SERVE
Our ministry is centered around the prevention of homelessness, child abuse, and child neglect in Florence County. Through our financial assistance programs and educational opportunities, Lighthouse Ministries strives to both provide basic needs assistance for families who struggle to maintain a safe and secure home, as well as develop healthier parent-child relationships within our community.
Basic Needs Assistance
Our Basic Needs Assistance program is for Florence County residents who find themselves in a financial crisis and are unable to meet their basic needs.
In addition to financial assistance, we provide educational resources with the goal of both uplifting families from their current situation as well as providing them with tools to avoid future financial misfortune. Lighthouse Ministries offers financial assistance with rent to prevent an eviction and utility payments to prevent disconnection.
Working Mothers Education & Support Program
Our Working Mothers Education and Support program is a six-month comprehensive program that provides low-income mothers with life skills classes, money management sessions and ensures that they have an adequate supply of diapers and wipes. This program is funded through the generosity of numerous local civic organizations and congregations, as well as the Wells Fargo Foundation.
Florence County mothers, with children between the ages of 0-5, are eligible to apply for this program. Our life skills courses uplift local mothers by increasing their parental confidence and encouraging disciplinary tactics over physical or verbal punishment to create desired behaviors in children. We strive to improve parent-child relationships in an effort to reduce child behavior problems and alleviate parental stress and anxiety.
Additionally, our money management sessions focus on minimizing poor spending habits by developing and managing realistic personal budgets. Through the donations of our supporters, we are also able to provide each participant with an ample supply of diapers and wipes for each of their small children.
To enroll or learn more, call 843-629-0830
Strengthening Families Program
The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) serves families with children ages 6 to 11 through local partners in settings that include community centers, schools, and churches. SFP is designed to help families develop positive discipline practices, stay resilient in tough times, reduce conflict, improve parenting skills, and assist children with social skills, relationships, and school performance. All of these factors play an important role in keeping families strong while protecting against potential abuse or neglect and adverse childhood experiences.
Participants complete a 14-session weekly program. The sessions, which always begin with a family meal, typically last 2 hours and include parents and children meeting separately to work with group leaders before coming together for shared activities to finish. Participants who successfully complete the program graduate in a celebratory style.
To enroll or learn more call 843-629-0830
SFP is sponsored by a grant from Children’s Trust of SC. Click here to find out more about how Children’s Trust of SC serves our state.
Triple P Positive Parenting Program
Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is an effective, evidence-based parenting program. It offers simple, practical strategies to help parents build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage their children's behavior and promote positive child development. Tripe P has been shown to work across cultures, socio-economic groups and in many kinds of family structures.
To enroll or learn more call 843-629-0830
Triple P is sponsored by a grant from Children’s Trust of SC. Click here to find out more about how Children’s Trust of SC serves our state.
Ramp Program
Through the efforts of volunteers and volunteer groups, Lighthouse Ministries is able to assist in providing disabled, low-income, Florence County residents with safe mobility in and out of their homes.
Lighthouse Ministries' Ramp Program is supported by United Way of Florence County.
First Friday Services Connect Event
The First Friday Services Connect is a monthly event intended to provide the homeless community with resources to improve themselves and their situation. Lighthouse Ministries, in partnership with numerous charitable and service organizations come together to offer help with:
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Housing
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Education
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Clothing
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Medical
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Work
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Dental
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Legal
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Benefits
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Veteran
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ID Cards
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Spiritual
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Mental Health
To help us spread the word, please print, post, and share our First Friday flyer! To learn more, download our Resource Guide.
City of Florence CARE Program
How to Apply:
Contact Lighthouse Ministries by phone to determine eligibility and to schedule an appointment.
Monday-Wednesday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm
To receive assistance through the CARE Program applicant must receive their water from the City of Florence.